Mental illnesses, respiratory infections prevalent in PH jails, prisons

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Mental illnesses and upper respiratory tract infections are prevalent in jails and prisons in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In a media briefing on Monday, DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo said the conditions in detention facilities “give rise to a lot of diseases.”

“Most of them are, as we would expect, upper respiratory tract infections,” he said.

“When we talk about communicable diseases, we talk about airflow, we talk about close contact, and those things are rather limited when it comes to places of detention. In addition to that are skin diseases; you also have stress, you have mental health conditions, and there can be allergies in particular areas,” he added.

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Domingo said the illnesses and diseases could be connected to hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition-related issues in prisons and jails.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said it will enhance its health services, provide regular check-ups to detainees, and ensure sanitation and nutrition in its facilities.

BJMP Jail Chief Superintendent Ilna Maderazo said they plan to “establish partnerships with health organizations and NGOs (non-government organizations) to provide specialized health programs.”

“We are also focused on training our personnel in health and safety protocols, ensuring they are equipped to manage health-related issues effectively. Mental health support is another critical area with initiatives aimed at addressing psychological bullying among our persons deprived of liberty,” Maderazo added.